(continued from Usability and Dangerous Technology, Part 1 )
First, let’s define what I mean by dangerous technology. After all, any technology is potentially dangerous depending on how it is used (or misused). Running with scissors can be dangerous, but I do not classify scissors as dangerous technology. Of course, the following definition could be refined quite a bit, but it will do.
Technology is dangerous if there is significant risk that it will cause severe injury or death in its use.
I also distinguish between two classifications of dangerous technology, depending on whether its fundamental purpose is to cause harm or not.
Inherently dangerous technology is designed to cause severe injury or death in its use.
Weapons of all sorts fit into this category: handguns, land mines, fighter jets, and nuclear warheads, for example. If these technologies do not result in harm when used, then their design will be improved to do so.
This does not mean that they need to be dangerous to their users however. Usability design in these types of products concentrates on facility and safety for users or those on the side of the users, not the targets.
Potentially dangerous technology is designed for some other purpose, but may result in severe injury or death in its use.
This is a much broader and more prevalent type of dangerous technology (at least in most places). There are many examples in your home of products that can be harmful if misused or errors are made in its use. Toxic and corrosive chemicals, motorized blades, and electrical devices are all examples. Industrial automation systems and tools fit into this category, as do commercial airliners, power plants, and automobiles.
Usability design for this class of technologies includes both the utility and safety for the user as well as others that may come into contact with the products.
(continued in Usability and Dangerous Technology, Part 3 )
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